Taivaan elves only vaguely resemble the elves to the south: They aren’t actually related, but were instead transformed from humans by their patron, Oikeuden Käinti. They’re exceedingly polite and deferential – but they’re also distant and seemingly unfeeling. In taivaan society, social standing – a proxy for wealth – is everything, and even slight faux pas can prove disastrous for rising through the ranks. As a result, they’re observant, careful and quick learners.

Where other elves are slender, tall and graceful, taivaan elves are disproportioned and awkward. They’re typically 5 to 6 feet tall and weigh between 150 and 180 pounds. Their faces seem pulled or pinched and their fingers are long. They’re pale, with skin tones ranging from ashy to white; their eyes tend to be light-colored, with silver and gray being the most common hues. Most people never see a taivaan elf’s body, though: Between their heavy robes and elaborate masks (see below), they’re usually well-covered.

In taivaan society, there are two requirements for advancement: wealth and patronage. The taivaan have a dizzying number of formal social stations, as well as another set of informal stations; moving through them requires a deft touch and a free purse. ( Oikeuden Käinti‘s church literally sells certain stations, but they’re impossible to capitalize on without social cachet, too.) These stations are marked by flowing robes and elaborate masks – the more expensive, ornate and impractical the gear, the higher the taivaan’s station. While the exact forms of the garments aren’t set in stone, many of their details, such as sigils, patterns and materials, have very specific meanings. To an outside observer, the magnificently realistic whale mask carved from driftwood might be impressive, but a taivaan would scoff at the low material and its lack of involved symbolism. Regardless of rank, taivaan are fully concealed – even the lowest scoundrel wouldn’t show his face (with a single glaring exception; see taivaan monks, below).

Because wealth is such an important part of their advancement, taivaan elves often enter professions that allow them to make good money – or, at least, that allow them to make big bets. Many are traders, merchants or officials (particularly ones that can demand bribes).

The homeland of the taivaan is in the north, but few of them live there – it’s Oikeuden Käinti‘s realm, and he doesn’t allow paupers (or even the only moderately wealthy) to live there. The taivaan can be found throughout Creation, especially in cities – the easiest places to make wealth.

Taivaan elves make good adventurers because they’re constantly seeking new sources of wealth, and are willing to take big chances to claim it.

Taivaan monks

Taivaan monks are a strange case: They’re almost all patron worshipers of Oikeuden Käinti who have sacrificed standing and wealth. These elves do not use masks and wear form-fitting clothes suitable to martial combat. They’re a recent development in taivaan culture; other taivaan reject them, and they call themselves Surra. The Surra stem from the War in Dark. When Oikeuden Käinti declared that the struggle against Adramalech was so important that profit did not matter, a small group of taivaan realized the empty and exploitative life that they and their ancestors had lived. They declared that wealth had no true meaning and cast down their masks, swearing to battle the forces of greed and vanity. The Surra live a humble monastic life, far from their homelands. Not all of them are members of the monk class, but they all live simple and unadorned lives.